Sydney Olympic coach Jamie Monroy under the Microscope

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Football NSW recently caught up with Sydney Olympic’s new Portuguese head coach Jamie Monroy with an insight on how things have gone thus far for the man in charge of one of Australian football’s most historic clubs.

Monroy headlines an impressive C.V.  with experiences overseas having been part of coaching setups at FC Barcelona, A.D. Alcorcon, FC Baku and Boavista to name a few but hopes to make his mark on the Australian game with his opportunity managing the Blues for the 2017 PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season.

With an impressive list of Portuguese managers that have excelled in world football with the likes of Jose Mourinho, Fernando Santos, Carlos Queiroz and Jorge Jesus to name a few, Monroy hopes to take Australia’s best state league competition by storm in his debut season.

FN: Your thoughts on what you have seen so far with the standard of football in Australia?

JM: I’ve been exposed to a few Hyundai A-League games since arriving in Australia and have seen all the matches from Sydney Olympic last year. Australia has good, physical players and I think they are most comparable to players in the EPL due to their physicality and the football culture.

FN: Your objectives for the new season with Sydney Olympic

JM: My first objective, of course, is to win the league. I want to be the surprise team in the Westfield FFA Cup and go very far in that as well.

My aim is to create an environment that allows players to reach their highest potential and to create a consistent playing style within the club.

Our main aim as a club is to promote and develop our talents.

FN: You are a new coaching figure in the Australian game, could you briefly explain where you came from coaching wise

JM: I have a degree in Sports Science and Physical Education, a Masters in Physical Condition in Football and at the moment finishing the PhD in Sports Training – Training Methods of Soccer.

Among my experience, I’ve worked with Boavista FC as the Soccer School Director and as Head Coach in Youth Team, for FC Porto I worked in the scouting department looking for young talents, with AC Milan as the Technical director of the AC Milan Soccer School and Head Coach, for FC Baku as an Assistant coach under ex-Athletico Madrid player, Milinko Panti?, and with FC Barcelona as a Technical Director in the international soccer camps and also as a Coach.

FN: How have you settled in the Australian way of life?

JM: I’ve really enjoyed Australia so far. There is good weather and I’m in a good spot where I’m near the beach, the city and also close to work.

FN: What is your schedule like for the preseason, friendly matches confirmed?

JM: We have matches scheduled every weekend up to the start of our season so it will be good preparation for us.

FN: Training venue wise, where is the squad based?

JM: Our main training base is at Peter Moore Oval, but we have also been doing some training at Valentine Sports Park.

FN: Signings, which players have you brought to the club and will you be looking at expanding your squad before the transfer window closes?

JM: We have had a lot of new talent brought into the team.

We’ve recently signed Yu Kuboki and Radovan Pavicevic, who bring skill, experience and pace to the squad.

We’ve brought Darcy Burgess into our First Grade squad, acquired former Hyundai A-League talent Max Burgess, signed Yianni Spyrakis, Paul Katsetis, Peter Makrillos and Steven Drewery among others.

The squad is pretty much finalised for now, there won’t be much more movement.

FN: What have been your first impressions with the Sydney Olympic squad?

JM: I’ve been very impressed with the players that have remained in the squad from last year. They are quality players with good skills and their attitudes are positive – they have a great desire to learn.